Several staffers out at CNN D.C.

6/26/13 5:14 PM EDT

Several editorial staff have left or been laid off at CNN's Washington, D.C., bureau in recent weeks, POLITICO has confirmed. The departing staff includes senior-level producers on the White House and Justice department beats, among others.

The news, first reported by TV Newser, comes hours after the network announced plans to relaunch "Crossfire," the famous political debate show, in the fall. As part of that effort, CNN has posted 15 new job listings across the bureau. The total number of departing staffers is estimated to be less than a dozen, according to sources familiar with the layoffs.

CNN's Washington leadership is believed to be rethinking its coverage strategy, including how it assigns editorial staff, sources added, and executives are considering moving away from the traditional beat-assignment model toward a more general assignment approach. A CNN spokesperson declined to comment.

On Tuesday, CNN also announced that it would shut down its radio unit. CNN Radio staffers' last day will be on Friday.